Interspecific tree &#34;Geo Pride&#34;

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct interspecific tree (Prunus salicina×Prunus armeniaca) which has the following unique combination of desirable features that are outstanding in a new variety: 
     1. Regular and heavy production of fruit. 
     2. Fruit with firm flesh, good handling and shipping quality. 
     3. Fruit holding firm on the tree 10 to 12 days after maturity (shipping ripe). 
     4. Fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality. 
     5. Fruit with high soluble solids (Brix) averaging approximately 18° with the refractometer. 
     6. Relatively uniform ripening of fruit throughout the tree. 
     7. Vigorous, semi-upright growth of the tree.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The new and distinct variety of interspecific tree was originated by usin our experimental orchard located near Modesto, Calif., as a firstgeneration cross between two selected seedlings with fieldidentification numbers 29EB30 and 42GA580. The maternal parent (29EB30)originated from a cross between Mariposa Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 111)and a selected plum-cot seedling which originated from an openpollinated Red Beaut Plum (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 2,539) seed. The paternalparent (42GA580) is a plum-cot selection which originated as a seedlingfrom seed of an open pollinated Red Beaut Plum tree that had been grownfrom budwood which had been irradiated with cobalt. The present newvariety was selected from a large group of seedlings, which were grownand maintained by us, one such seedling having especially desirablefruit characteristics was selected for asexual reproduction andcommercialization.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION OF THE VARIETY

Asexual reproduction of the new and distinct variety of interspecifictree was by budding, as performed by us in our experimental orchardlocated near Modesto, Calif., and shows that all characteristics of thetree and its fruit run true to the original tree and are established andtransmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree which is of large size,vigorous, semi-upright growth and a regular and productive bearer ofmedium size, freestone fruit with excellent flavor and eating quality.The fruit is further characterized by having a distinctive sweet flavor,blending between apricot and plum, having a good balance between sugarand acid, also having a high soluble solids (Brix) of approximately 18%.The firm flesh of the fruit gives good handling and shipping quality,holding firm on the tree 10 to 12 days after maturity (shipping ripe).In comparison to the interspecific tree Flavor King (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,026). The fruit of the new variety is approximately 21 days earlier inmaturity.

PHOTOGRAPH OF THE VARIETY

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new interspecific variety. Theillustration shows the upper and lower surface of the leaves, anexterior and sectional view of a fruit divided in its suture plane toshow flesh color, pit cavity and the stone remaining in place. Thephotographic illustration was taken shortly after being picked (shippingripe) and the colors are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in acolor representation of this type.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new variety ofinterspecific tree, its flowers, foliage and fruit, as based onobservations of specimens grown near Modesto, Calif., with colorterminology (except those in common terms) in accordance with ReinholdColor Atlas by A. Kornerup and J. H. Wanscher.

Tree:

Size.--Large.

Vigor.--Vigorous.

Productivity.--Productive.

Bearer.--Regular.

Density.--Medium.

Growth.--Semi-upright.

Trunk:

Size.--Medium to large.

Texture.--Shaggy.

Color.--Brown to tobacco brown (5-F-4) to (5-F-8).

Branches:

Size.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium rough.

Lenticels.--Medium number. Large size.

Color.--Hair brown to linoleum brown (5-E-4) to (5-E-7).

Leaves:

Size.--Large. Average length 5". Average width 17/8".

Form.--Oblanceolate.

Margin.--Serrulate.

Thickness.--Medium.

Surface.--Smooth.

Petiole.--Long. Average length 11/8". Average width 1/16".

Glands.--Globose. Number varies from 0 to 3. Average number 2. Smallsize. Located on upper portion of petiole and lower portion of leafblade.

Color.--Upper surface -- green to dark green (27-F-6) to (27-F-8). Lowersurface -- light green to pastel green (27-D-4) to (27-D-5).

Flower buds:

Size.--Medium.

Length.--Medium.

Form.--Plump.

Flowers:

Size.--Large.

Pollen.--Present.

Blooming period.--Date of first bloom: Feb. 21, 1996. Date of fullbloom: Feb. 27, 1996. Varies slightly with climatic conditions.

Color.--White.

Fruit:

Maturity when described.--Firm ripe.

Date of first picking.--Jul. 15, 1996.

Date of last picking.--Jul. 21, 1996. Varies slightly with climaticconditions.

Size.--Medium. Average diameter axially 2". Average transversely insuture plane 21/8".

Form.--Nearly globose, slightly flattened at apex and base.

Suture.--Shallow, extends from base to apex.

Ventral surface.--Nearly rounded, only slightly lipped.

Apex.--Slightly retuse.

Base.--Retuse.

Cavity.--Rounded to very slightly elongated in suture plane. Averagedepth 1/4". Average breadth 3/8".

Flesh:

Ripens.--Evenly.

Texture.--Firm.

Fibers.--Few, small, tender.

Aroma.--Very slight.

Amygdalin.--Undetected.

Eating quality.--Excellent, mild, sweet, good balance between sugar andacid.

Flavor.--Excellent.

Color.--Light yellow (4-A-4) near pit cavity, color increases towardsurface becoming darker yellow (5-A-5) to pastel red (10-A-4) near skin.Pit cavity -- caramel (6-C-6).

Skin:

Thickness.--Medium.

Texture.--Medium, tenacious to flesh.

Down.--Wanting.

Tendency to crack.--Slight, next to stem.

Color.--Light yellow to yellow ground color (4-A-4) to (4-A-5).Overspread with garnet red to oxblood red (9-D-8) to (9-E-7), except invery small randomly spaced areas exposing a speckling of yellow groundcolor.

Stone:

Type.--Freestone.

Size.--Small. Average length 3/4". Average width 5/8". Average thickness7/16".

Form.--Obovoid.

Base.--Usually straight, varies from straight to rounded.

Apex.--Usually rounded, varies from rounded to slight tip.

Surface.--Slightly pitted throughout.

Ridges.--Shallow narrow ridges extending toward apex, ridges vary inheight and length.

Sides.--Equal to unequal.

Tendency to split.--None.

Color.--Light tan to light brown. (5-B-5) to (5-C-5).

Use: Dessert. Market, local and long distance. Drying.

Keeping quality: Good.

Shipping quality: Good.

The present new variety of interspecific tree, its flowers, foliage andfruit herein described may vary in slight detail due to climate, soilconditions and cultural practices under which the variety may be grown.The present description is that of the variety grown under theecological conditions prevailing near Modesto, Calif.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of interspecific tree,substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its largesize, vigorous, semi-upright growth and a productive and regular bearerof medium size, firm, freestone fruit; the fruit is furthercharacterized by having a good balance between sugar and acid, excellentflavor and eating quality, good handling and shipping quality and, incomparison to the interspecific tree Flavor King (U.S. Plant Pat. No.8,026), the fruit of the new variety is approximately 21 days earlier inmaturity.